SLOW START: Moisture Improves, Cold Halts Planting

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SLOW START: Moisture Improves, Cold Halts Planting

Initially the rainy weather was good news for farmers worried about the drought ridden soil, but recent cold and snow have caused another headache for farmers.

According to the Iowa Department of Agriculture only 8 percent of Iowa’s corn acreage has been planted so far this year.

In May of last year 62-percent of the corn was already in the ground. Although last year’s early spring might not be the best gauge, the five year average for corn planted by this time is 56-percent.

Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says, this is the slowest planting season since 1995.

On a better note, drought worries will likely be a thing of the past for most of the state. Nearly 60 percent of topsoil moisture levels are rated as adequate and the precipitation has continued to improve subsoil moisture levels as well.

What the farmers need now is a few warm dry days to get back in the field.